Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,“This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Monday, December 1, 2014

Our Sweet Girl is here!

Clara Amelia

November 22, 2014

5:32 p.m.

6lbs 13oz, 18in long

Quick birth story:

At my 38 week and 39 week appointment I was already 4cm dilated and 70-75% effaced...I had my doctor do a membrane strip at my 39w appt, (Thursday the 20th) and went on my way. The next morning, (Friday the 21st), Grant and I walked the aisles of Target all morning...I had a few contractions, but nothing regular...mainly just crampy. We had a typical family movie night Friday evening with pizza and popcorn, and I got a pretty good nights sleep. Saturday morning, I laid in bed and listened to the boys buzzing around the living room (where they "camp out" with Kane every Friday night), and I felt very crampy...a lot of lower back pressure. I got up and made breakfast and had a couple of small contractions...I even jokingly told Kane that today might be the day! After breakfast, we had planned on taking the boys to go sign up for basketball, but I when I realized my contractions were coming around 10mins apart, I decided to stay home with Grant JUST in case and get some laundry folded, etc. When Kane and the boys left, my contractions became very irregular....6 mins apart, 10 mins apart, 8 mins apart, 12 mins apart...BUT they were also more painful. I called my mom to give her a heads up JUST in case, and then Grant and I hopped in the shower. Once I got out, they really picked up....they were coming every 4-5 mins, and I would have to stop to breathe through them...Kane and the boys were back, and I told Kane that we needed to head in to the hospital JUST in case...I was GBS positive (for the first time in any of my pregnancies!), and since I was already 4cm dilated, I wanted to make sure we had enough time to get antibiotics. My mom got to my house soon after, and Kane and I headed to the hospital. The entire 35min drive to the hospital, I had ONE contraction...but as soon as I stood up and walked to labor and delivery, they were coming on top of each other. After we checked in (right at noon), I went to the bathroom down the hallway, and had to stop every 2-3 mins to breathe through a contraction...when I got back to triage, the nurse checked me...I was at 7cm dilated already! They got me to a room and started me on antibiotics....I also got an epidural which worked for the first time ever! Yay! I was very comfortable (well...once the meds kicked in!), and just hung out for several hours while I received antibiotics. The entire time, I was at 9cm dilated. I have NO doubt in my mind that had it not been for having to lay down and receive the meds, I would have have had her soon after arriving to the hospital. Once I finished the 2nd round of penicillin, the nurse helped me roll over, and my water broke. 15-20 mins later, our sweet baby girl was born! And it was every bit as painful as I remember! lol! :)

She is just over a week now, and is doing so good! Carson and Harper absolutely ADORE her and Grant is coming around too! :) He's a little jealous of course, but he's also been super sweet to her, too. Here are just a few pics from the last week!